Fear and Loathing in Alagaësia [Open]

[serilkane]

Somewhere on the southeastern banks of Lake Tudosten...

It was with a heavy heart that Seril sat on the shore of Lake Tudosten, eyelids heavy from a most profound lack of sleep. The young man had yet to fall into slumber's sweet embrace for nearly three days, now. Ever since the dragon had hatched. There was no telling what she, for he was certain it was a she, was thinking. At any moment the wild beast could strike him down in the dead of night.

Was she a wild beast, though? Seril was more than familiar with the stories of the Riders of old. The dragons were, more often than not, vastly more intelligent than their Riders, even in the case of the elves. They were proud, majestic beings thoroughly capable of destroying entire villages and cities. The thought brought a faint whisper of a smile to Seril's lips. Clearing his throat lightly he turned to face the baby dragon who, he was shocked to see, was staring at him with a profound amount of innocence and tenderness.

A quick, albeit shaky, laugh rose in Seril's throat and he gestured for the young dragon closer. A million and a half protestations screamed and ripped at Seril's resolve, but one single thought drove him forward. What if he was a Rider? It was entirely unlikely, of course. But suppose he was?

Tentatively, the young dragon lifted herself from her curled position and bounded across the space between them in a matter of seconds, wings flapping in excitement. "Oh, shi-" Seril exclaimed just as the tiny ball of scales and spikes pounced on his chest, knocking the wind out of his lungs. Several moments and after a series of gasping breaths, Seril finally managed to calm himself down enough to peer up at the compact ball of dragon.

The dragon nuzzled him under the chin once before curling up on his chest, a light snore quickly eminating from her. And it was then that Seril knew, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that he would do anything to keep her safe, no matter the cost.

[serilkane]

And so their days past in simpleness. Seril would awake shortly before the sunrise and tend to the fire, during which his dragon continued to sleep. After some time, and a string of Dwarvish curses, he would start on their breakfast, which was always the remains of some fish their makeshift net had managed to snag. And his dragon slumbered on, innocently exhausted from playtime the day prior. It wouldn't be until Seril was halfway through his own meal that she would wake up. She would stretch out her front claws, kneading the soft soil for a moment before sauntering over towards Seril. The tiny dragon would sniff haughtily at his meal and snap it up in one go. It was then that he discovered, even as slight as it was, his dragon's own consciousness brushing against his own. Sometime midday the pair would attempt to communicate with one another, or rather Seril would attempt to communicate with the dragon, though with little success. And so the days passed by.

It wasn't until four or five of these days passed that something rather important occurred. Seril, who had been busy weaving a mat out of the long reeds that grew up from the lakebed, shouted once and stood up quickly. This elicited a mewling cry from the dragon who had been napping nearby. Seril turned to her quickly, pointing. "I've got it!" He cried, tossing down the half-finished mat as he began pacing back and forth. The young man had been thinking about naming his dragon since the hatching, but nothing really seemed proper. It had to be something regal sounding, as dragons were nothing but, yet at the same time be able to convey a sense of her own personality. Seril had gone through dozens of names with the dragon before, yet she didn't seem eager about any of them. There was one dragon, before the Fall, that stood out to him now.

Clearing his throat softly, Seril closed his eyes. This, he felt, helped him open his mind to the dragon. She responded quickly, widening their connection enough to allow simple image projection. A dozen memories flashed before Seril's mind's eye, a weasel escaping her clutches, the fire late at night, and Seril's own laughing face. He cleared his throat again, attempting to focus. It took three times for the image to conjure correctly in his mind. It was a night, about a year or two ago, where Seril stayed up until the following day. He had discovered an account of the Riders of old. It was a rather rare document, something he doubted many outside of the Varden had ever even heard of. There, clear as day between their link, was a name inked down in a scrawling script. 'Ophelia'. There was a certain rightness to it. Ophelia rang around in her mind, turning over and over again until finally Yes.

Seril's eyes widened to nearly the size of dinner plates. He had known that the dragons could talk with their minds, but to experience it was something else entirely. Nothing could have prepared him for feeling another being's thoughts just before they said them. Being able to draw their conclusions with them. He sat down, drawing the dragon, now Ophelia, closer. "Ophelia," he said, the word ringing out over the silence of the area. The pewter dragon cooed softly, curling up to sleep more in his arms. "Ophelia," perhaps the world wasn't as large and frightening as he'd previously imagined. Yet Seril knew that somehow, someway, he would need some sort of instructor or teacher. There was no way he could do this on his own, nor could he rely on the Varden to help him. How would they respond to a traitor and deserter and his infant dragon? Oh, no. He had to find someone out of both the Empire and the Varden's control.

[Brenton]

((Oh boy you aren't going to find many riders who are completely outside both the Empire and Varden))

Konner felt the wind against his face as birds flapped and flew nearby the giant red dragon that was flying under the man. He held his head high but kept his hood down in case he were to need to see everywhere. Then Konner felt it, Talon's surprise at something below them. He looked at the ground and then thought about what could be down there that would make the five year old massive red dragon so surprised. Already Talon was the same size as Murtagh's dragon Thorn and he knew that there were going to be issues if the two met but this wasn't Thorn below so Konner thought down. Quickly the two descended toward the lake and there was indeed something strange ahead. A man was sitting there with a dragon hatchling in his arms while he talked to the dragon and didn't notice the rest of the world.

Quickly Konner donned his hood and jumped down, the red and black cloak flapping in the wind as he fell, to land on the ground next to the other rider. "There are many people around here who will harm a new rider. You should return to where you were from and get a tutor." Then Konner got a good look at the guy in front of him and he stopped mid sentence. This was someone from Farthen Dur, but he couldn't remember exactly who. Suddenly a name came to his mind, Seril Kanesson. The boy was the son of a merchant and had always spent his time studying but for some reason Konner knew who he was. On a whim, he pulled his hood down and blinked a few times before he opened his mouth. "When did you become a rider, Seril? Last I knew you were in Farthen Dur still with your nose in a book."

((Hope you don't mind but Konner is knighted by Orik and has had to of seen Seril a couple times.))

[serilkane]

A sudden rumbling in the air registered in the back of Seril's mind, though he paid little attention to it. Nothing else mattered at the moment. He was finally coming to understand the dragon, his dragon. So it came as a surprise when Konner's presence came into his field of vision, the other man's voice cutting through the peace sharply. It had been some time since Seril last heard another voice, and especially one so distantly familiar. A vague tickling in the back of Seril's mind indicated that Ophelia was paying close attention to his own memories, as if trying to sort them out. He hesitantly stood up, the dragon slipping from his hands to bound around by the other man's feet. Seril groaned internally. It was her carefree attitude that was likely to get them into a world of trouble. The hatchling was very unaware of the danger life could propose.

Just as Seril was about to respond and inform the other Rider that he hadn't anywhere else to go, it dawned on him almost at the exact moment as it did for Konner. Of course they knew one another, though very, very vaguely. His was a face Seril had seen in Farthen Dur before the Varden had marched to Surda. He couldn't help but laugh, a hand rising up to clutch his stomach. The irony of the situation, truly. Of course someone from his past would come from nowhere. It was likely that he was taking Seril back, wasn't it? Hesitantly, he responded, though the words came slowly. "Only recently," he said with a gesture towards Ophelia. Every so often Seril's eyes would dart towards Talon, the massive dragon considerably more ferocious and impressive looking than his own who was busy rolling around in a pile of discarded leaves some distance away. With a mental gesture, Ophelia ceased her playing to bound over to his feet. She busied herself by gnawing on a stick, sharp infantile fangs making quick work of the wood.

"I've got to say that it's strange seeing someone from Farthen Dur all the way out here, given the circumstances." Seril couldn't help but smile, however. At least he wouldn't be alone. For now, of course. There was no telling what Konner had in mind for the newer Rider. It would be a cake walk for the pair of them to squash both Seril and Ophelia and think nothing of it. Seril silently prayed to a number of Dwarven and Human gods for protection and comfort, his brows rising anxiously.

Ooc: I don't mind at all!

[Brenton]

Konner laughed slightly and then sat down with his legs crossed, just barely revealing the daggers and swords on his body as his cloak opened slightly. "Farthen Dur is so long ago, honestly. Still Talon and I have been great companions and we have seen many things in this world that most people will never see. If you want...I could help you learn what you need to know about dragons. Talon will help your dragon if she wants it." He ran his fingers through the grass and then pointed at the fire that had started to die. With a simple command the flames grew back into a full fire and he sat back to watch. "So how have you been Seril?"

[serilkane]

"Yes!" Seril blurted out, the increase in volume alarming Ophelia for the briefest of moments. She quickly contented herself with a passing dragonfly, bright eyes following its path through the air. A tinge of crimson stained Seril's cheeks as he sat down, eyes drifting over towards the fire as it roared into life at Konner's command. A million synapses fired off in his brain, all screaming questions that the young man yearned to have answered. Of all the things he had ever studied, magic was by far the most interesting. Not even so much its own practice, but what it is exactly. And how it could possibly exist in nature. Biting back his tongue, Seril nodded a few times, gaze shifting downward. "I mean, yes. Please. It would be an honor," he said, beyond humbled.

Ophelia slithered up to Konner, her curiousness largely overruling Seril's silent pleas of better behavior. The young dragon nuzzled his hand. She flapped her wings a few times, the coordination and effort throwing her off balance. Ophelia toppled over on her side and simply laid there, entirely content with stretching out on the grass between the pair of men. A brief image of sunshine flashed in Seril's mind through their gap just before she fell asleep quickly followed by a light snoring. Seril couldn't help but smile nervously. It was quite apparent that they were far from the dignified dragons and Riders of old.

[Brenton]

Konner laughed again and scratched Ophelia behind her head at the base of her skull where most dragon's enjoyed the sensation as he looked around them to the empty expanse of land and water that they were on. Finally he found a small and smooth stone that he picked up and tossed to Seril underhanded. "Stenr Risa!" The stone, in midair, stopped flying forward and hovered there right next to the new rider while Konner motioned for him to take the stone. It was a simple spell that most rider learned to use magic with, either stenr risa or brisingr which he had just used to restart the fire.

Talon curled up around the two humans and small hatchling with his tail encircling the entire area. He was content to sit there and watch until they were ready to leave which could be awhile. Low rumbling came from the area as Talon slowly sank into a sleep that was easily awoken from in case there was trouble which was highly unlikely in this situation.

-------

Outside the light of the fire, as the sun sank below the horizon, a woman crouched with her face twisted into a grin that was obviously evil in nature. She held a cruel looking sword and her hands were clawed with anticipation. It had been years that she had tracked this rider and his massive dragon and now he had led her to a new rider who was obviously just entering the concept of magic. The problem was that the older rider had been a thorn in the Empire's side, taking out high officials and entire supply trains, for years and there was no telling how strong he was now. Quietly she waited and watched, hoping for the perfect chance to strike and take down the assassin knight who rode the large red dragon.

[serilkane]

Entirely unaware of the present danger, Seril eyed the levitating stone hesitantly. He was eager to learn, of course. But he hadn't anticipated it to begin so soon. Seril hadn't had a proper meal in quite some time, he had been sleeping restlessly on the ground, and it had been nearly three weeks since he'd changed his clothes, which were honestly more like rags at the moment. Inhaling deeply, the young man reached a hand up towards the stone in order to grasp it in his long, spidery fingers.

He leaned forward, brow furrowing in concentration. "Stainr Risa?" He asked, stumbling over the pronunciation. The Ancient Language was something he was entirely unfamiliar with. Seril had known that special words of power were necessary in order to use magic, but he had never come across a single word so far. He could speak Dwarvish backwards and forwards, but this was something new entirely. It wasn't like any other language he'd come across in his readings. It crackled with authority, yet flowed off the tongue, when spoken correctly, like a babbling brook. Seril cleared his throat once and readjusted his posture. He felt as though he should sit up properly if magic was going to be performed.

[Brenton]

The older rider shook his head and grabbed a quill and paper from his bag. Quickly he wrote out the words and gave the paper to Seril before he spoke again. "Stenr Risa, Rise Stone, is the command in the Ancient Language to make a stone rise into the air to whatever height you want. Try to get that pebble to go up a few..." Just then the crack of a branch resounded through the area and Konner was up in a split second, swords drawn and fists clenched as Talon growled deeply. There had been a shade following them for years trying to catch them because they had been taking down entire supply trains by themselves since they had left Farthen Dur. "Get behind us and make sure you keep your dragon close to you because she isn't old enough to fight yet. There has been a shade following Talon and I for a few years now and she has found us it seems."

In the matter of a few seconds, Konner was already in a battle stance and the shade was walking out to meet them, her white hair flowing down her back while he red eyes and razor sharp teeth flashed in the fire light that made it all the more gruesome. Her blade was cruel looking and obviously made for butchering humans in a heartbeat and now she had found blood to spill. Konner shot forward and started swinging his swords forward while she parried every one of them with relative ease. He had gained the speed of an elf over five years of being paired with Talon but this was a shade and Bristven was stronger than he was.

Talon roared and jets of dark red fire shot over the area just as Bristven showed him images of Vaentr, a large blue dragon, being destroyed in black flames much like that of hell fire. This was fun for her and she had crippled the elven king for awhile. She'd heard he had found a new dragon to hatch for him but that was of no consequence since she was obviously expecting trouble at the moment. Bristven swung her sword and it flew out of her hand just as a sword pierced her throat while a hidden blade slammed through her skull and into her brain. Konner knew it wouldn't kill her but slowly the shade disappeared with a wicked grin. She would be back in a little while to finish him off.

Konner turned to Seril with a sigh of relief as he wiped the sweat from his brow and then collapsed to the ground with his head in his hands. This particular shade was always after him and there was never a way to kill her. "I guess you should eat quickly so that we can leave and get away from here before Bristven returns for her kill."

[serilkane]

Throughout the flurry of activity Seril remained stock still. Sure, he had witnessed plenty of fighting and death, but never before had he witnessed a pair of fighters that so greatly outstripped that of a mortal man. Hopelessness crashed against his consciousness, blotting out the waves of curiousness from Ophelia. There was no way he could possibly hope to contend with anything that mighty. Seril was resuscitated from his misery and awe by a sharp pain in his right foot. Blinking rapidly, he shouted and jumped back. Ophelia had taken a rather nasty bite out of his boot, pinching a few toes in her sharp maw. Seril shook his head, clearing out the darkness, as Konner ordered him to eat and prepare to leave.

Leave? Where were they to go? Seril opened his mouth to protest, but decided against it in favor of his better judgment. Who was he to argue with such a powerful Rider? Besides, even if he did protest, it was likely that Konner would simply incapacitate them and take the pair anyway. Or worse still, leave them for the Shade. "I- err. Yes, sir." Seril blurted out as he limped about the meager campsite, Ophelia bounding behind him, in order to collect scraps of food. It only took about a minute, perhaps less, to gather their waterskins and food bags, both of which were dangerously low. Seril cast a forlorn look at the makeshift net he had constructed. It would be a pity to leave it behind, but he had no way of carrying it along with them. And besides, the net had several large holes in it from a trout that managed to escape.

Seril nodded a few times and scooped up Ophelia, the infant dragon cooing in his arms. The pair turned their backs on Konner in order to take in one last look at their camp, Ophelia's birthplace. It was with a slightly heavy, albeit anxious, heart that Seril turned about and nodded once again at Konner. "Ready," he said softly, gaze cast down at his feet. Someday they would return, he vowed. Someday. Ophelia looked up at Seril, her bright steely eyes held a deep understanding of their loss and seemed to mirror his own anxieties. But in a moment it was gone as he nuzzled under his chin gently.

[Brenton]

Konner pulled himself up from the ground and onto Talon who then bent down slightly so Seril and Ophelia could climb on as well. Right now flight was the best way to go and so the dragon would carry them all in this time of need. Konner looked out at the area and then shrugged when he saw nothing out of the ordinary. "I guess we can train along the way. Oh and don't call me sir, I'm still the same person I was back in Farthen Dur just older and more experienced."

((Sorry, kinda depressed and my posting has taken a hit because of it.))

[serilkane]

"A-along the way?" Seril asked, heaving himself and Ophelia onto the saddle. "Where are we going, then?" A knot tied itself in the pit of his stomach. It was likely that Nasuada herself wouldn't recognize him, but Seril was certain that someone, somewhere amidst the Varden would. And the tiny dragon in his arms was likely to stir the pot, at least a little. They would expect him to side with the Varden and prepare themselves to fight the Empire. But would he?

Seril knew he wasn't much of a warrior, honestly. Was that an excuse, though? Sure, he had no formal training. And it was likely that both he and Ophelia would die in battle should they even attempt to take on the likes of, really any other Rider. No, Seril was a scholar. That he was sure of. Where would a vast store of knowledge be, then? The answer came after a few moments of pondering. The elves, of course. The elves, wherever they may be, were the world's foremost leaders in academia and study. And while it was unlikely that Konner was taking some measly bookworm and his infant dragon to the elves, Seril couldn't help but silently hope.

Ooc: Sorry, I got really busy with homework and stuff. I'll try to be more on top of replying.

[Brenton]

Konner smiled and felt the familiar dropping of the earth as Talon shot into the air and started North toward where few people ever went, Du Weldenvarden. While it was true he wasn't exactly friends with King Brenton, Konner had met the man when he had trained with Oromis and that meant that he knew enough to know that Brenton was always willing to help train riders. From what he gathered, the king now had a new dragon and was training a rider at that very moment. Konner rode silently on Talon's back while he reached his mind out as far as he could, traveling all the way to the edge of the Du Weldenvarden. Why are you contacting us, rider? The familiar voice of Kialandi echoed inside Konner's head as he quickly relayed information through images and feelings. Bring them here and make sure you are ready to explain to Brenton why there is a shade following you when you get here. With that the dragon spirit withdrew his consciousness and left Konner to ponder his words.

"The elves are great scholars and spell casters so I am taking you there. In the forest is a rider who has lived within the Empire for years as the king's servant and was able to free himself just to return to his home and start training other riders. His name is Brenton Bromsson, king of the elves, and he is the one that you will go to because he has trained one rider and dragon already and now is on his second. If anyone can help me teach you then it would be him but be warned that Grazael is not too fond of people who disrespect his rider." Konner felt the downward descent as Talon flew lower to avoid some high clouds that would blind him.

[serilkane]

Seril inhaled sharply as the ground beneath him was swept away. He hadn't ever known one could be afraid of being so high, let alone a Rider. It was expected of the Riders to be the bravest of the lot, cream of the crop. This was yet another reason he shouldn't have ever-- Ophelia growled, a sound she usually only used when hunting the small vermin that had infested their campsite during the short time there. Seril shot a quick peek at the infant dragon and wrapped an arm tightly around Konner's midriff. The saddle, while well-made was slightly uncomfortable beneath Seril's backside. Not in the way that he couldn't ride it for some time without pain, but that he felt himself sliding around with every undulation of Talon's wings.

Konner spoke into the wind, his voice carrying back to Seril just as he leaned in to hear him. Brenton Bromsson? Brom, as in the former leader of the Varden, Brom? Surely that couldn't have been right. Though, as Seril pondered over the idea it became more and more understandable. Brom had established the Varden and was a Rider himself, it only made sense that his offspring would be a Rider. Though king of all elves. A twinge of doubt echoed through his mind, passing unconsciously through the link between him and Ophelia. She shot a pearly-eyed look up at Seril and he had to laugh. The amount of skepticism in her eyes betrayed a much higher intelligence than an infant should have. Dragons must age mentally at an accelerated rate compared to their physical bodies. Seril took a few mental notes, for later. Perhaps he would write a book, he decided. A compendium for Riders. Though he'd have to create a code for the text. It wouldn't do well for such a book to fall into the wrong clutches. He shook his head and cast a wary eye over Talon's side at he vast land beneath them.

Seril's grip around Konner's midriff tightened slightly and he shot upright once more. Alright, no more peeking over the side, he announced mentally to Ophelia, despite her midafternoon nap. It astounded him that she could sleep at a time like this, miles above the ground, clearly in danger for their lives. The sooner they reached Du Weldenvarden, the better.